Preventive Dentistry – Springfield, NJ
Keeping Springfield Smiles Protected
In addition to brushing and flossing at home, it’s also important for dental patients of all ages to receive regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings in order to maintain healthy smiles that are free from cavities. Dr. Henkin and our dental team offer many other types of preventive dentistry services that are all designed to stop problems before they become major headaches. We recommend coming to see us at least twice a year, so give us a call if it’s time to schedule your next appointment for preventive dentistry in Springfield, NJ!
Why Choose Skyline Dental for Preventive Dentistry?
- Patient Comfort is Priority #1
- Happy to Treat Every Member of the Family
- Accept All PPO Dental Insurance Plans
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
It’s important to regularly get checkups and cleanings even if you’re not experiencing any issues with your teeth, as most oral health problems have very subtle signs at the beginning that may go unnoticed. At these appointments, Dr. Henkin will not only examine your teeth, but your gums and jaws as well to ensure your entire oral cavity is healthy and functioning as it should. You’ll also receive a professional cleaning to remove harmful plaque and tartar from those areas of the mouth your tools at home can’t reach.
Dental Sealants
Out of all the teeth, the ones towards the back are by far the hardest to brush. Because of this, many people (particularly children) develop cavities on them. Rather than simply waiting for decay to appear so we can fix it, we can proactively protect these vulnerable teeth by placing a thin layer of composite resin over them. Once it hardens into an invisible barrier, it will literally seal the enamel off from food particles, plaque, and bacteria that could lead to cavities.
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Nightguards for Bruxism
If your teeth are unusually worn down, it may be a sign of bruxism. This condition causes you to unconsciously grind and clench your teeth, and it often strikes while you’re asleep. Untreated bruxism can take a serious toll on your teeth and jaw over time, but fortunately, our team can help you keep your smile safe with a personalized nightguard in Springfield. This oral appliance serves as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, thus protecting them from bruxism-related damage.
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Customized vs. Store-Bought Nightguards
Nightguards can be bought over the counter, or they can be provided by a dental professional. While a store-bought nightguard is often the cheaper option, it may not fit perfectly on your teeth. This can make it uncomfortable to wear, and it could even cause the alignment of your bite to shift. In contrast, when you get a nightguard from your dentist, it will be customized for your unique mouth, making it more comfortable and effective.
The Process of Getting a Nightguard
In order to determine whether you might benefit from getting a nightguard, our team will perform a thorough examination of your mouth. We’ll specifically look at how much wear and tear your teeth have suffered as a result of nighttime grinding and clenching.
If we decide that a nightguard is right for you, we’ll begin the process by capturing digital impressions of your teeth. Said impressions will be sent to a trusted dental lab, which is where your oral appliance will be made according to your unique needs. Once it’s ready, it will be sent back to our office. At that point, we can schedule your final fitting appointment. During this visit, we’ll confirm that the nightguard fits comfortably in your mouth, and we’ll make any last-minute adjustments that might be needed.
The Benefits of Getting a Nightguard for Bruxism
Wearing a customized nightguard every night will allow you to enjoy the following benefits:
- You can protect your teeth from undue wear and tear.
- You can reduce the pressure that your jaw joints are exposed to at night, thus reducing your risk of developing a TMJ disorder.
- You can alleviate your morning headaches, which are often a side effect of frequent grinding and clenching of the teeth.
Caring for Your Nightguard
To prevent bacteria buildup, you should make a point of cleaning your nightguard regularly. Remember to rinse it with lukewarm water before and after wearing it. Additionally, you should brush your nightguard whenever you’re done using it. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush as well as a nonabrasive cleaning agent; hand soap is often a good option.
When your nightguard isn’t in your mouth, it should be kept in its case. This will help ensure that it isn’t damaged by accident before you’re ready to wear it again. Remember to keep your nightguard case in a safe location where children and pets can’t get to it easily.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During your checkup, Dr. Henkin or another member of our team will be on the lookout for the early signs of oral cancer, which may include oral sores that take a long time to heal, discolored patches of tissue, or small growths within the mouth. Initially, symptoms of this potentially deadly disease can be easy to miss, but our dentist will be able to detect concerning symptoms and refer you to an appropriate specialist if necessary. Should our dentist find anything, she can guide a patient to receive the follow-up treatment they need right away, drastically increasing their chances of reaching a favorable outcome. Here’s a quick look at how oral cancer screenings work at Skyline Dental, but please feel free to contact our office in Springfield if you’d like to know more.
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Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
In its early stages, the symptoms of oral cancer can look much like the signs of more benign health issues like the common cold or mouth irritation, which makes the condition much harder to recognize if you aren’t a trained professional. Potential signs of oral cancer include:
- Splotchy or discolored patches of skin
- Bumps, lumps, or cold sores that don’t go away after a week or so
- Areas of raised, firm oral tissue
- Trouble swallowing
- Lumps in the throat
- Oral bleeding or numbness
- Loose permanent teeth
- Discomfort when chewing
- Changes in voice
- Persistent sore throat
What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?
During your routine checkup, our dentist will carefully inspect your lips, mouth, tongue, and throat for symptoms of oral cancer. If she finds anything concerning, she will be able to refer you to a trusted specialist who is qualified to diagnose the issue and determine an appropriate course of treatment.
What Can I Expect During My Screening?
If our dentist finds any concerning symptoms in your mouth, they may touch the suspicious areas of oral tissue to check their texture or see how sensitive they are. She may also gently check your neck for lumps or unusual growths. If she finds anything that can potentially be a problem, she may recommend that you return to our office several weeks later for a follow-up exam, but this will only be to see if the issues persist and if referring you to a specialist is necessary. Remember, dentists are not qualified to diagnose oral cancer, and our staff referring you to a specialist does not necessarily mean you have the condition. It’s best to detect oral cancer early so it can be addressed before it has time to worsen and spread, so we may send you to a specialist simply to be on the safe side.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a mineral that was added to tap water sources all around the U.S. decades ago, and this is considered one of the greatest general health victories in the country’s history because it drastically lowered the rates of cavities and tooth decay, mainly for children. That’s why it’s still added to water and most oral healthcare products today. At Skyline Dental, we can help strengthen our patient’s enamel and reverse the early signs of decay by coating their teeth in a fluoride varnish at the end of their regular checkups.
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Children’s Dentistry
Early-age dental care is absolutely essential to putting a child on the path to a lifetime of healthy smiles. At Skyline Dental, we not only welcome children of all ages into our dental office, but we also go beyond the average dental office and completely personalize our approach for every growing patient. In addition to safeguarding against cavities, we’ll also work with your child to ensure they form healthy oral habits early, ensuring their future trips to the dentist are always quick and easy.